Nat’l gov’t to shoulder CICC improvement

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Government failed to act on the recommendation of the firm managing the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) to change the design of its air-conditioning system to save on electricity.

This is among the reasons why CICC’s electric bills are high that contributed to its losses since 2007.

Jose Luis Yulo, chairman of the Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corp. (Petco) reported to the CICC Management Board that when they started managing the facility in 2007, the structure is already in place including water and electrical connections.

They found out that something is wrong with the electrical design and suggested that there should be a three-level of air-conditioning system in every room in order to save on electricity.

They gave the report to Capitol in 2007 but nothing happened.

Yulo explained that a room is supposed to have a two horse power, four horse power and six horse power air-conditioning units.

These units will be used depending on how many people are using the room.

He explained that with the present design, regardless of the number of persons in the room, the six horse power air-conditioning unit is used.

It was also pointed out that some rooms in the facility have centralized air-conditioning unit.

This means that even if only one room is being used, the air-con for all the rooms, including the empty ones, is running.

Acting governor Agnes Magpale said this has to be corrected to prevent  further financial bleeding in CICC’s operation.

Magpale said she will suggest to include in the repair of the CICC the redesigning of its air-conditioning system.

She said the National Government is willing to shoulder the repair of the facility worth P66 million in preparation for the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) forum wherein Cebu is considered as one of the venues of the meeting.

“We need a convention center, a real convention and exhibition center.  We will first focus on that,” said Magpale.

From 2007 to 2008, CICC’s deficit already totaled P41.7 million.

“It could be more, it could be less. But as of now, that it is the deficit, P41.7 million,” said Magpale after the board meeting yesterday.

Capitol accountant Marieto Ypil reported that in 2008, CICC had a P1.2 million deficit.

It increased to P7.3 million in 2009, P16.1 million in 2010, P26.7 million in 2011 and further increased to P41.7 by the end of 2012.

It was also reported that CICC has an average electricity consumption of P800,000 per month and an average of P250,000 per month for water consumption.

Magpale said that they will look into why Mandaue Realty Corporation is supplying water for CICC at P60 per cubic meter when a mall nearby is only paying P32 per cubic meter to its water supplier.

Magpale also questioned why majority of the deficit is paid through the general fund of the Cebu Provincial Government when it should be taken from the trust fund of the CICCMB.

On the other hand, the Provincial Board yesterday passed a resolution supporting the conversion of the CICC into Mandaue City Hall or a government center.

Board Member Arleigh Jay Sitoy sponsored the resolution following his privilege speech last week saying that selling the CICC to the Mandaue City Government at a reasonable price would be a way of paying debt of gratitude to the Mandauehanons.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes expressed interest to buy the CICC as the 75-year-old Presidencia Building of the city could no longer accommodate all offices.

The Mandaue City Government owns the land where the CICC is standing.

The resolution was passed without any discussion from among the members of the PB, including those allied with suspended Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.

But Magpale had said last week that Capitol will no longer sell the CICC as it will be upgraded into a world-class facility.

The issue on the controversial CICC was revived after Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales ordered criminal and administrative investigation against Garcia and six other Capitol officials over alleged irregularities in the extra work on the facility worth P263 million.

The Province of Cebu spent P800 million to build the facility that hosted the 2007 Asean Summit. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Gregg M. Rubio/MBG (FREEMAN)